GANF pupil visits Westminster

on 26 June 2014.

GANF pupil talks politics in Westminster

Calum Wilson’s passion for politics earned him a trip to the House of Commons for a chat over lunch with Grantham’s Conservative MP Nick Boles.

Calum is a sixth form student at Sandon School and has always been interested in politics and struck up a conversation with the town’s MP Mr Boles when he visited the school for a Sport Relief fund-raising event in March.

The 16 year old and Mr Boles had a lengthy discussion about the local train station and how Grantham could be improved for local people and visitors. Struck by the teenager’s enthusiasm for politics and his local community, the MP got in touch with the school a few days after his visit to invite Calum down to London for a tour of the Houses of Parliament and a catch up over lunch.

The Westminster visit will took place on June 23 and Calum was accompanied by a member of staff from GANF.

Calum said, “I have been to Downing Street before but never inside. To get the chance to go inside The House Of Commons was amazing, I very much enjoyed watching the debate in the Commons afterwards”.

The Lincolnshire teenager was diagnosed with autism at an early age but he doesn’t believe someone’s disability should stop them being actively involved in politics.

Mr Boles agrees, “Calum is a very impressive young man with a real passion for politics. I am very glad to have the chance to show him around Parliament.”

The MP isn’t the first politician to be impressed by Calum. He has written to Downing Street on numerous occasions and received many replies. One, personally from David Cameron after writing to express his concerns about the financial crisis. He even enclosed his pocket money as a way of doing his bit to help the country. The Prime Minister wrote back to thank him, returning the money and reassuring Callum that he was sorting things out!